HDP co-chair Mithat Sancar has visited İzmir and criticised the unearned income system, following Friday’s earthquake which has left 26 people dead and more than 800 injured.

In the early hours of Saturday there were aftershocks measuring 5.0 in magnitude. Several buildings have collapsed and hundreds have been damaged.

The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) announced that the magnitude of the earthquake was 6.6 and the epicentre of the earthquake was off the coast of the Seferihisar disrict of İzmir city.

Kandilli Observatory has shared different data showing the magnitude of the earthquake to be 6.9. The United States Geological Survey (USSG) announced that the magnitude of the earthquake was 7.0.

While search and rescue operations continued, people spent the night in the streets. Although Turkish authorities stated that tents would be set up, people set tents on their own in the parks to spend the night. Some lit fires to stay warm, while others slept in their cars. Rescue operations continued through the night. According to the latest data, 100 people have been saved during the rescue operations.

In addition, security forces detained six people who were insulting victims of the earthquake online. Interior Ministry vice-minister Muhterem İnce said that they had discovered 37 insulting posts on social media and have launched investigations into 25 people.

HDP committee visits İzmir

HDP co-chair Mithat Sancar and the HDP committee visited İzmir.

Sancar said that the main cause of death was not natural disasters, but economic injustice, drawing attention to the unearned income system.

A crisis coordination centre has been established, said Sancar, for people affected by the earthquake. He said that solidarity is needed in order to recover from the disaster.

Sancar also consoled people who have lost their loved ones in İzmir and in Greece.